The money quote: "I had high expectations for the iPad, and it has met or exceeded most of them.

On the iPad’s display: "The 9.7-inch LED-backlit display is stunning – bright, vivid and surprisingly clear even when viewed at an angle. I think this is the first screen I’ve seen with IPS (in-plane switching) technology, which provides viewing angles up to 178 degrees. Sitting side-by-side on the couch with the iPad on one of our knees or propped up on the coffee table, my wife and I were able to watch a movie quite comfortably."

On iPad-native apps: "Movies, photos, and iBooks are all delightful on the iPad. And while I’ve only tested a handful of the apps designed specifically for the iPad, the ones I did try are great. Check out Real Racing HD ($9.99), Bento for iPad ($4.99), or Reuters News Pro for iPad (free) and you’ll see the amazing things iPhone developers can do with more screen real estate and an ultra-fast processor.

The money quote: "After spending hours and hours with it, I believe this beautiful new touch-screen device from Apple has the potential to change portable computing profoundly, and to challenge the primacy of the laptop. It could even help, eventually, to propel the finger-driven, multitouch user interface ahead of the mouse-driven interface that has prevailed for decades."

On what distinguishes the iPad: "It’s qualitatively different, a whole new type of computer that, through a simple interface, can run more-sophisticated, PC-like software than a phone does, and whose large screen allows much more functionality when compared with a phone’s. But, because the iPad is a new type of computer, you have to feel it, to use it, to fully understand it and decide if it is for you, or whether, say, a netbook might do better."

On battery life: "I was impressed with the iPad’s battery life, which I found to be even longer than Apple’s ten-hour claim, and far longer than on my laptops or smart phones. For my battery test, I played movies, TV shows and other videos back-to-back until the iPad died. This stressed the device’s most power-hogging feature, its screen. The iPad lasted 11 hours and 28 minutes, about 15% more than Apple claimed. I was able to watch four feature-length movies, four TV episodes and a video of a 90-minute corporate presentation, before the battery died midway through an episode of "The Closer."

New York Times columnist David Pogue writes not one but two reviews in Looking at the iPad From 2 Angles. One review is for techies (if you use BitTorrent, run Linux, or have more e-mail addresses than pants); hte other review is for everyone else.

Techie review money quote: "The bottom line is that you can get a laptop for much less money — with a full keyboard, DVD drive, U.S.B. jacks, camera-card slot, camera, the works. Besides: If you’ve already got a laptop and a smartphone, who’s going to carry around a third machine?"

Money quote for everybody else: "The iPad is so fast and light, the multitouch screen so bright and responsive, the software so easy to navigate, that it really does qualify as a new category of gadget. Some have suggested that it might make a good goof-proof computer for technophobes, the aged and the young; they’re absolutely right."

On battery life: "Speaking of video: Apple asserts that the iPad runs 10 hours on a charge of its nonremovable battery — but we all know you can’t trust the manufacturer. And sure enough, in my own test, the iPad played movies continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 7:53 p.m. — more than 12 hours. That’s four times as long as a typical laptop or portable DVD player."

Money quote: "Aside from Apple enthusiasts, many of us wondered who would drop hundreds of dollars for this not-quite-computer. But having used the iPad for some time, I can tell you that the device just makes sense."

On battery life: "The power efficiency of the chip translates to a battery life that Apple rates at "up to ten hours" with Wi-Fi switched on. Our own rundown test of the rechargeable lithium-polymer battery netted a respectably close battery life of 9 hours and 25 minutes."

Money quote: "The first iPad is a winner. It stacks up as a formidable electronic-reader rival for Amazon‘s Kindle. It gives portable game machines from Nintendo and Sony a run for their money. At the very least, the iPad will likely drum up mass-market interest in tablet computing in ways that longtime tablet visionary and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates could only dream of."

On its shortcomings: "The iPad has its share of Version 1.0 inadequacies. It doesn’t multitask, save playing iTunes music in the background. There’s no webcam for those of us hoping to do video chats. The battery is sealed. It’s too big for your pocket."

Engadget: Apple iPad: The definitive guide (so far) – As the title suggests, Engadet’s piece is more of a buying guide than a review, and includes tidbits like what’s inside one, and how to get one on Saturday even if you didn’t preorder.

Money quote: "…issues aside, the combination of beautiful hardware and elegant software is

undeniable, and what Apple may have lacked in imagination, the legion of iPhone developers certainly will not. The possibilities for this device are huge, and we have no doubt that devs around the globe will take full advantage of that — just as they have on the iPhone and iPod touch. We also won’t rule out the possibility that Apple itself isn’t done tinkering here; there could very well be surprises lying in store for us before that launch date arrives. A two month window is no small matter. Regardless, it’s clear that Apple has taken the ball and is running with it when it comes to touch based computing — the only question is whether they can barrel this thing into the endzone."

[Note: Engadget did not get a review unit. This is from the site’s "Definitive Guide", originally posted after January’s launch event. -DS]

Money quote: "The most compelling sign that Apple got this right is the fact that despite the novelty of the iPad, the excitement slips away after about ten seconds and you’re completely focused on the task at hand … whether it’s reading a book, writing a report, or working on clearing your Inbox. Second most compelling: in situation after situation, I find that the iPad is the best computer in my household and office menagerie. It’s not a replacement for my notebook, mind you. It feels more as if the iPad is filling a gap that’s existed for quite some time."

Money quote: "Maybe the most exciting thing about iPad is the apps that aren’t here yet. The book-film-game hybrid someone will bust out in a year, redefining the experience of each, and suggesting some new nouns and verbs in the process. Or an augmented reality lens from NASA that lets you hold the thing up to the sky and pinpoint where the ISS is, next to what constellation, read the names and see the faces of the crew members, check how those fuel cells are holding up."

On battery life: "Manic, nonstop use revealed a number of things: battery life is better than I anticipated. I got a full day of constant internet-connected use (it did not leave my hands) on one charge. More than 12 hours, with heavy video and gaming, and screen cranked up to full brightness."

I quoted four reviewers on their experience with battery life because it’s something of a novelty when real-world battery life coincides with manufacturer estimates. Because we all know, as Pogue notes, we can’t trust the manufacturers’ estimates.

Jim Thompson

25 Responses

Last night’s episode of Modern Family on ABC was pretty much an ad for the Apple iPad. One of the storylines involved the odd-ball patriarch of one of the families planning to get up early on Saturday morning to stand in line at 6 a.m. so he could get the iPad, which was coming out on his birthday. His well-meaning wife, feeling guilty for all the crummy gifts she had gotten him in the past, volunteers to stand in the line for him so that he can sleep in on his special day and wake up to play with the “toy” he truly wants. Needless to say, she wakes up at 5 a.m. but cannot resist the temptation to catch a few more winks, ends up oversleeping and generates several humorous scenes about her an the children trying their best to acquire the hard-to-get item. The episode included a scene shot outside an Apple Store and ended with the husband blowing out the candles of a birthday cake app on an actual iPad. Talk about product placement.

Okay, so I did pre-order one. I am not a “fanboy” still working with PCs on a daily basis and loving them (when they do what I want, not what I tell them!). Still, I have an iMac at home, PC bootable, and it is a sweet piece of hardware and a beautiful PC.

My family says “You don’t usually do the bleeding edge thing, but whatever.”

I sigh. You’re right. You’re all right. In a few months there will be a new version, better, cheaper, probably with the missing camera (c’mon, Steve, get a grip). But I get mine on Saturday and Monday I’ll bring it to work…

It is a HUGE touch IPOD if you ask me. I just do not see what people see in this thing. I read yesterday they expect apps for the IPAD to cost more than the ones for IPOD or IPHONE..Why? It is the same platform isn’t it?

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I see this as just a way that Apple will get it’s loyal base to spend money for the game gadget they already have.

The distinguishing thing about Apple products is the amount of effort and thought that the designers and engineers have expended. Making technology accessible and easy is their prime directive. This philosophy often disallows user modifications to the operating system or interface, and this offends many techies. But the vast majority of technology users are not interested in tinkering with the system — they want something that is reliable and allows them to concentrate fully on the task at hand. From the reviews, it appears that Apple has succeeded once again with the iPad.

So where exactly should a device like this ‘live’. My iPhone stays in my pocket so it’s always there when I need it, and my laptop has a little mini-desk in a nook. This device is somewhere in between. It can’t fit in my pocket, yet it doesn’t seem natural to set down to a desk to use it. If it’s meant to go on the coffee table, bedside table, kitchen counter, or any other place like that, then I have no interest. I have 3 small kids; that thing wouldn’t last 1 month in my house.

Apple stock is up to $237 today, yet another all time high. Look for it to hit $300 by the end of the year. Look for the iPad to outsell the iPhone.

Mine is on order and won’t arrive till the end of the month because I wanted the 3G connected version. These reviews are great though. Reaffirms my decision to order one.

I don’t know why so many Windows fanboys are so irritated by Apple. Perhaps it’s the clear fact that Microsoft is no longer much of leader in technology? That must be it. They’re riding a dying horse and it pains them to see a great stallion zipping past them.

Hey Jason, I agree that you don’t seem like a candidate for an iPad, but put yourself in my shoes for a few minutes. Several months ago, my laptop kicked the bucket. Not a huge deal because I still have my gaming desktop and my iPhone. I love the iPhone for quick web browsing and stuff, but the screen is just too small to do much web browsing. I also have the Kindle app on it and it works great, but again, it’s just a bit too small to use routinely. I never used the laptop for more than what the iPad will do, so it seems to make sense for me right now.

I still haven’t decided if I am going to get an iPad or even replace the laptop, but I do like what the iPad offers. If I do, I’ll probably wait until version 2 is released. I seem to have done the right thing by waiting for the iPhone 3GS since they fixed the majority of the issues that plagued the two previous versions, especially the original iPhone.

I think Pogue’s got the iPad’s market niche figured out. It’s for folks who don’t use their computer for heavy lifting.

I think this version’s a little to light-weight to replace my laptop — but then, I’m not in the market for a new one (having gotten one last year). But when I do need a new machine two-three years from now, I’m going to be looking a this class of device.

Finally, I think the iPad signals the end of the netbook. While the iPad itself isn’t going to kill all netbooks (it’s too expensive), the cheap knock-offs will.

I’m pretty sure a lot of people commenting on this ipad thing are other more than just simple windows fanboys. Like, I dunno, average consumers responding to large amounts of marketing hype? I look at the people commenting, and many I haven’t seen before here on techblog, even during previous apple product launches.

But I suppose its easier to dismiss their views if you make sweeping generalizations and label them fanboys.

Paraphrasing the typical naysayer comments and putting it into relative context such as. “Sex is a HUGE bother, if you ask me. I just do not see what people see in this thing.”

If you’re hooked up to the wrong platform, operating a non-responsive device, lack the coordination/timing for successful outcome or are simply dead-set against making an effort to even get on the playing field let alone into the game, there’s no graph, pie chart, or spreadsheet that will convince a Monk what he’s missing out on.

@ JR – So many of the negative commenters are dismissive but haven’t done their homework.

The only people outside Apple who’ve had some hands-on time with this device are journalists like Dwight who were invited to San Francisco for the introduction. I’ve read just about everything written by those folks and have not seen any real negativity.

The negative comments tend to come from those who haven’t seen it, haven’t read much about it, haven’t watched the Apple videos, etc. I would encourage them to watch these videos and then post a comment http://www.apple.com/ipad/guided-tours/

Most naysayers misconceive what it is entirely. It’s not a replacement for your primary computer. In fact, it is designed to work with iTunes on a Mac or PC for syncing, automated backup, file downloads, battery charging when connected, etc. Sure it could be a replacement for your secondary computer (read: netbook) but you should have a computer for syncing.

David Pogue’s NY Times reviews were the best because he assessed it from the perspective of two different user groups: Geeks vs Ordinary People.

I will certainly agree that some of these people haven’t done their research. However, labeling them as fanboys is hardly a rational approach to them either. I would even go so far as to say that calling them negative comments is inappropriate, given negative tends to be construed as bad and/or unwanted which is unreasonable when we are giving our opinions.

However, calling them uninformed, or misunderstood and linking some of your (generally) very insightful perspective in such a way that the intent is to educate or inform, the better off everyone is. Remember, a lot of people read but don’t comment. Though you may not change the mind of those you respond to, there people who observe the blog that might benefit far greater from such an approach rather rather than sift through yet another battle of the “fanboys.”

I went into this iPad thing with high expectations and an open mind. I’m happy with my pc, and have found macs in the past to be counter intuitive etc. But I’ve watched and read most of the things out there. This device has huge potential, but I think Apple missed the mark. What kills it for me is the closed software architecture. I don’t want Apple to control what I can and can’t put on my computer. And the pricepoint they put it at. Why would any sane person spend $500 on something they can buy for half that and get more power.

I’m probably the odd ball out there, as I don’t own any apple products. No iphone. in fact, no cell phone at all. No iPod…my $50 mp3 player works perfectly.

NYT wants to charge you $30 a year to view their content on the iPad…guess what…I can come to chron.com, or any other news site and get my fill on the news of the day.

The only compelling argument so far is the possibility that CBS will stream their television shows to it.